Hamworthy had to battle all the way in this game to end up with a point after twice being two goals in front. The main reason for this was that they were reduced to ten men shortly after half time when Shaun Leaton was dismissed for violent conduct. Unfortunately for the Hammers the young Referees Assistant only saw Shaun’s retaliation, and not the two punches thrown by the Wincanton striker that preceded it. United’s problems got even worse a quarter of an hour from the end when new signing Michael Glavin was reduced to a passenger after he received a back injury, and Hamworthy had played all their substitutes.
Hamworthy always had the edge in the first half and looked the more dangerous of the two sides in front of goal. Wincanton played some reasonable football, but did not have a clear strike on goal until a minute before the break. The visitors were also a very physical side that looked more than capable of mixing it when required. The Hammers took the lead after fifteen minutes with a well worked goal. Following a clever passing move Dan Baguely received the ball just outside the six yard box. A clever back heel laid the ball into the path of Michael Wynne who was following up, and he hit the ball low past the keeper to make it 1-0. Dan Baguely almost got another shortly after the restart when he spotted the Town Keeper off his line, but his thirty yard lob went just over the bar. Hamworthy added a second goal with another piece of good football, and finishing. A lovely passing move found Darren Orchard out on the wide right, and his accurate cross was met by Darren Rudd linking up with the forwards. The wing-back gave the Wincanton Keeper no chance as he blasted the ball home. With a minute  of the half remaining a desperate goal line clearance by United left a Wincanton player prone in the six yard box, but all penalty appeals were turned down by the Referee, and his Assistant, and a goal kick was given.
Wincanton came out determined to get into the game following the break, and were soon helped in their cause by the dismissal of Sean Leaton. Within five minutes of the sending off the Town had pulled a goal back through Sam Vine with a well taken goal, but one that looked well off side. Once again the young Referee’s Assistant ruled against the Hammers, and kept his flag down despite the many appeals from the players and crowd.  United to their credit restored the lead within a few minutes this time a tap in by Gary Williams. This followed some good work by substitute Steve Russell who jinxed his way to the bye line before squaring the ball into the path of his team mate. Wincanton continued to have most of the play with their superior numbers, and pulled a goal back when Sam Vine added a brilliant second with a diving header, Just as it looked as though the battling ten men had done enough to secure all three points the Town equalised in the last minute of normal time.

Team: D. Fawcett, S. Leaton, D. Rudd (S. Russell), G. Horlock, M. Glavin, C. Mutch, M. Wynne, D, Orchard, D. Baguely (S. Griffiths), G. Williams (G. Clark), D. Williams.  Unused Subs K. Killick, D. Watts.

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